The Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant famous person duo was some of the profitable in NBA historical past. This resulted in three consecutive world championships for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000 to 2002, however the pressure between the 2 alpha males couldn’t be suppressed for that lengthy and ultimately the partnership needed to finish.
After the Lakers misplaced within the 2004 NBA Finals, Bryant not needed to play alongside O’Neal, partly as a result of O’Neal was influencing the remainder of the group, in addition to the nationwide media, to facet towards him. He turned a free agent that summer season and practically joined the Los Angeles Clippers earlier than re-signing with the Purple and Gold.
However Bryant revealed throughout a one-on-one dialog with O’Neal a number of years in the past that he was additionally near becoming a member of the group. Chicago Bulls.
Kobe Bryant actually needed to hitch the #Bulls:
“We have been in search of homes in Chicago. We have been flying to fulfill Reinsdorf & Paxson. Vanessa signed that we’re shifting to Lake Forest Chicago.
– Diehard Chicago Bulls Followers (@DieHardCBfans) January 11, 2025
In 2004, the Bulls have been simply starting to get better from Michael Jordan’s second retirement and had a roster stuffed with just a few budding studs. They gained 47 video games and made the primary of three straight playoff appearances the next season, and maybe Bryant may have ultimately made this group a contender.
He mentioned he deserted that plan when Rob Pelinka, who was his agent on the time, let him know that O’Neal had requested to be traded. The Corridor of Fame heart was then dealt to the Miami Warmth in July and Bryant signed his new contract with the Lakers shortly after.
After three irritating seasons of taking part in on Lakers groups that had nearly no help round him, Bryant requested to be traded in the summertime of 2007, and as soon as once more, the Bulls have been seemingly a group that was on his checklist. However no business settlement may very well be reached between the 2 groups and he stayed put.
After all, it labored out for each the Black Mamba and the Lakers in storybook vogue. They acquired one other Corridor of Fame massive man named Pau Gasol in February 2008, and after dropping that 12 months within the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics, they gained the subsequent two world championships, together with one towards the hated Celtics in Recreation 7 of the 2010 Finals.
This text was initially revealed on LeBron Wire: Kobe Bryant mentioned he nearly left the Lakers for one group in 2004
